Politics aside, is private school usually a better experience of education for kids compared with state?

It is totally variable and depends both on the schools and the parents’ situation.

The main features that distinguish private schools are smaller classes and a pretty homogeneous class environment (yes, there are a few bursary students, but very very few on full bursaries). In addition, there are a myriad of extra curricular clubs and support classes for struggling pupils.

The downsides, however, are cost and, in my opinion, a failure to develop genuine resilience for many pupils.

It is definitely true that, if you are someone who may be on target for a bunch of 5s and 6s in state, private will probably get you 7s and 8s, as you will end up in a small bottom set of 8-12 pupils, with fantastic support.

OTOH, if you are a resilient pupil on target for 7s to 9s anyway, you will be in a top set of 24 (sometimes even 25 or 26), not that much smaller than the 30 at state, and most state schools don’t have behaviour issues in top sets.

In addition, the savings on state schools, if parents have the time and interest, can but pupils far better extra curricular experiences at specialist external sports clubs, music tuition etc etc.

And private schools do spoon feed! There is a trade off between teaching inspiring science, say, and optimising GCSE grades. Private schools add extraordinary value at GCSE (partly by sitting the easier IGCSEs) but that is harder to carry over to A levels.

Ultimately it is about the right school for the right child and family.

@Poppingby I plan on passing as much as I can down using all mechanisms available but I can’t give it all away so when I die she’ll get her grubby hands on a good amount

You can't say "universally" and then use 3 children to make the point. It doesn't make your point at all. You'd need numbers and statistics to show how the system is better wouldn't you. Also, you are claiming to have put Rachel Reeves in your will. Did you mean to? Why, if you dislike her policies on tax by the state to the public purse so much?

Yes it is. Almost universally. Using examples of my own children…

My oldest is academic. She is stretched in small classses and alongside this there is the capacity for public speaking and project management qualifications that mean she’ll be able to use those qualifications in a job setting easily and be able to show how it’s done.

My second child has SEND. He struggled as a young boy and I know that people could write him off. He is participating in school events that are worth press coverage that few children do because he has been supported so well to be able to develop and thrive. His academics will never be as good as DD1 but equally small classes mean he will get the best he can.

DD3 is sporty. Properly sporty. She has the facilities she needs to be able to train so the world is her oyster.

We pay a lot of money especially as they all choose to board… but they choose to do and enough of my money will go to Rachel Reeves in tax or inheritance so why would I not spend it in this way.

I am even future planning for any grand children. It’s not just about the academics but the way of thinking. Public schools can concentrate on education and development as opposed to enforcing ways of thinking.

I think the qualified teachers argument is a bit overblown because in state you can have a teacher with a PGCE teaching maths but their degree is in PE, geography, politics etc. Whereas in an independent school, they may not have the PGCE but they may be a maths teacher with an actual maths degree.

My PGCE was at a very lefty institution and honestly, it was a waste of time. It was just educational theory, from a highly biased perspective. I had to write a long essay on inclusion, when it's clear that the real factor behind children with increasingly complex needs staying in mainstream schools is cost cutting, not ideology or what's actually best for those children. None of that made me a better teacher.

The classroom practice part was where I learnt how to teach, but you can have that part without having a PGCE.

@Gair yes but these are primarily specialist providers.

I'm not sure if it's been mentioned but if your concern is your child's happiness rather than academic you'd perhaps like to research 'human scale' or democratic/ alternative schools.

We've done stints in several state schools and several human scale schools in London and the south west and can honestly say that they've been life changing for our children and our family.

They're built on respect and developing a love of learning without unnecessary pressures. My children have never not wanted to go in (three children over 16 years), whereas in state school whilst they were 'fine' there were often tears in the morning and they described being scared by shouting teachers (not directed at them but not something they were used to being around).

They generally fair better than state academically due to small class sizes amongst other things but obviously not the straight a's of selective schools and they aren't expected to as there's a higher level of self directed learning and giving things a try. There's also a much broader range of pupils and backgrounds than most private schools for various reasons (sliding scale fees and payment plans, children who've not thrived in mainstream etc).

It's a huge privilege obviously to afford such things but I'm really happy with my choices. It absolutely won't be for everyone either as we all have different priorities and expectations. My children are quiet and well behaved by nature and could easily have been overlooked, instead they experienced school in a home from home community environment which has given them confidence, self respect and a love of learning which my state school education absolutely did not (although I appreciate some will have had better experiences!)

@dizzydizzydizzy Interesting. Can’t think of any other UK school with its own 50m pool.

It’s fine, let’s discuss. I like your style as we don’t agree but you’re nice with it. I’m sure OP has the answers already and we’ve tried to be helpful but as per on here, things get sidetracked (within context) OP forgive us 😘

Right @Gair I too have skin in the game being English and having a child with an EHCP. DC has severe dyslexia, developmental co-ordination disorder and a couple do other diagnoses I won’t divulge as don’t want to be outed. DC is 13 and can read to level of a 6 year old and their writing is more representative of a 5 year old. Its illegible. Dad has a degree as was informed in his second year he has severe dyslexia and I also have a degree - no SEN for me.

I also have child who had the potential to exceed academically as they were ranked #1 for their MidYis score out of 300 kids. According to some sources one of my DC would fit the description of ‘gifted
and talented’ but would be devastated for such an ‘accolade’ because it’s not cool! 😎

The SENCO looking after my child with SEN is the SENCO for the largest school in “England”, so is more than accustomed to it tban us average joes

@GreenSox , sorry to be pedantic, but many SEND kids in England benefit from private for-profit placements, otherwise the market would not have been worth £1.68 BILLION last academic year. This figure goes up to £2.41 Billion if you include private not-for-profit providers.

See extract below from a report by https://www.laingbuisson.com/press-releases/independent-sector-special-education-market-valued-at-2-41-billion-in-england-as-continued-growth-in-identified-special-education-needs-drives-pupil-numbers-in-special-schools-to-record-levels/

• The total independent sector special education market is valued at £2.41 billion (2024/25) – out of a total market value for special education provision in England of £7.11 billion (1) (2)
• For-profit special education providers have a total market value of £1.68 billion, with the remaining £733 million delivered by not-for-profit providers

It's really interesting to discuss this with you (I have skin in the game with my DC), but I don't want to take OPs thread any further off topic 😉.

To give some perspective,
regarding England, it would be almost unheard of, for a child with severe dyslexia (the example used by a pp) to be given a place, paid for by the LA, in a private school. Perhaps in the past it would happen but getting an EHCP for even severe dyslexia would be difficult now, never mind the LA spending £23,000 for the education of one child for specific learning difficulties (despite it being severe)

There is provision for the most severe cases of Learning Disability special schools) where the children are never going to be independent, such is the support requirements. The rest are placed in mainstream and if they’re lucky there is a unit attached for SEN provision. There is no money, so often what happens if the LA say state is suitable and the parents take them out, particularly of tehu have ASD for example. It’s a sorry state of affairs, so I don’t believe it’s anything but vanishingly rare for the LA to pay the sort money it would cost for private education for one child, when that amount could help 4 children… here in England.

I said it is rare in Wales. I believe it happens much more often in England because due to the academisation of schools, many are deemed not able to meet need, and there is a bigger market in private (for profit) SEND provision. Also I believe education spending in England is controlled by central government, but footing the bill for SEND kids' education sits with LAs. This is creating massive issues.

To bring the conversation back to private schools. There is a real risk that many private schools in England which depend on LA funded SEND pupils to make their business work will fold. The current government is trying to cut SEND spending radically, and the most efficient way to do this is probably by giving LA maintained schools the funding to set up specialist schools, units attached to mainstream schools and more TAs/classroom support.

So if I were thinking about choosing a private school now, I'd be wondering how the above points affect institutional viability in the short to medium term (which is relevant to school years of DC), or long term viability if it's for a "through school" (3-18).

The main problem people have with private schooling is that overall there is a disproportionate number of privately educated individuals in the most prominent jobs and positions of influence, such as Government roles. It makes social mobility difficult and keeps the divide between the rich and poor.

Would I send my kids to private school if I had the money? Yes I probably would but that’s because on an individual level we want the best for our kids but objectively, it can perpetuate inequality.

As a teacher with some experience in both sectors, I believe you'll find a much better environment in private schools. Class numbers are limited ( no more than 20/21 where I've been), the grounds usually offer lots of green spaces and well-looked after buildings, there are plenty of facilities you wouldn't expect in state schools (pool on site, proper sports play courts etc...), no issues with equipment and supplies shortage ( in state schools, glue sticks ,whiteboard pens and rubbers are rationed. Pretty much everywhere right now). The school dinners are definitely better than in most state schools: different options , always nice vegetarian ones , lots of fruits, a salad bar and puddings. I even went to a private school with a cheese board ! .

It depends on the ethos of the school but some private schools , especially primary schools, are not as strong academically as you'd expect. They catch up in secondary school as the numbers are further reduced and it's more selective after Y6.

In primary private schools, you'll find a lot of children with SEN : their parents choose that sort of school for many reasons but mainly for the small classes and the extra curricular activities, which are great at enriching a child's experience.

I agree with this. I think it would be vanishingly rare for a LA to pay for private provision for one pupil. It will happen but very few and far between.

My kids went to both, albeit only for a few years in state. Their primary state school was rated outstanding and really, it was fine, nothing much to complain about.

But the private school has great facilities (swimming pool, gym, several sports fields), great extracurriculars (DD has learnt 3 instruments), many lunchtime and after school clubs, good art, music and drama departments, a wide range of subjects. Teaching is great in some subjects and less so in others, probably comparable to state, but the teacher engagement is fantastic, we are kept up to date with any problems so there's no surprises at parents evening, there are lunchtime drop in sessions for additional support for most subjects, good pastoral care - basically a lot of effort goes into pushing the children to do their best.

Academically, my kids would have probably achieved similar results in state, but they wouldn't have been exposed to half as many enrichment activities if they didn't go to private school, no matter how much effort we put in.

@Isitbetterb people on here speak of their own experiences from back when they were at school.
Things have changed MASSIVELY since then.
If you want a real picture of state versus private, I’d suggest you ask teachers who work in these two different sectors to honestly give their opinion as it’s based on recent experience.

Agree and I don't think spoon feeding is the right term. In my experience it is usually about stretching students as far as possible. For example my A level French teacher who had taught at universities told as at the beginning of the course that she'd just be teaching us as though we were university students and she'd expect we'd be able to cope with it but she'd support us if not. We were extremely well prepared for A level and for university as a result, but were absolutely expected to put the work in.
I do appreciate A levels are different to earlier secondary and that the above experience could equally be provided by any decent teacher private or state.

For some it seems very much to be about the Hunger Games, as if achievement is required to be paid for by suffering.

Achieving against the odds may be admirable, but that doesn’t make having to face the odds desirable or ‘better’. It doesn’t make someone that’s achieved in the face of no odds somehow morally inferior. It’s perfectly possible to applaud one without tearing down the other.

I think LA funded placements at private schools for SEND/ALN pupils varies massively in different parts of the UK. England and Wales have two completely different approaches to this.

Whereas it seems to me that English LAs will very often fund (or be forced to by Tribunal) these private placements, it is vanishingly rare in Wales. This is impacted by many factors, but I think one of the main ones is that state schools in Wales are LA maintained (even the Voluntary Schools e.g Church in Wales, are LA funded). There is a very strong political preference in Wales for community comprehensive schools, many of which have attached 'Units' for more severely disabled children who cannot attend mainstream. Kids with less profound ALN/SEND are expected to attend mainstream with varying levels of support. This is obviously different from school to school and county to county, and is very hit and miss, however the presumption is that children will attend LA maintained schools (including Specialist ALN schools, but there are too few of these to meet need), rather than fund private provision. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule, but these are very rare. Wales also has relatively few private schools, particularily outside urban areas, and no Welsh medium private schools. Only 2%ish of children in Wales attend private schools (the rate being much higher the closer you get to England e.g. Monmouthshire with 12%) compared to 6-7% of English pupils. I think that the Scottish rate is around 4%ish with N.I. less than 1%. Interestingly, N.I. pupils have the best academic performance of the four home nations (https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/news/new-study-compares-pupil-performance-across-uk-nations ).

This summary from a NASUWT report earlier this year shows where some of the challenges are in the English state system:

"Key Findings: Where Is the Money Going?

Academy Trust CEO salaries are soaring – Some chief executives are earning over £500,000, far exceeding the Prime Minister’s salary.

Consultancy spending is skyrocketing – Academy Trusts spent £412 million on consultants in 2022-23, nearly double the amount five years ago.

Profiteering in SEND provision – Private SEND schools are charging up to £61,500 per pupil, compared to £23,900 in state-funded schools, with some companies making tens of millions in profit.

Supply teacher agencies cashing in – Schools spent £1.2 billion on supply teachers in 2022-23, with agencies pocketing £300 million in fees.

Councils crippled by SEND bill – As councils struggle to provide provision they are increasingly forced to turn to the private sector. Calderdale Council saw spending rise a 477% in four years, from £699,409 in 2020-21 to £4,035,607 in 2023-24."

So @Isitbetterb, what I think you also need to take into consideration is the provision of the home nation you reside in. We realised that moving between them was not such an easy proposition when considering language, culture and political aspects of education in the various nations.

In reality, the question is much broader than simply state or private.

I've only personally experienced state schools.
But listening to friends who sent their kids to private schools and seeing how the kids turned out then yes I think private is better.
Smaller class sizes-less than half the size of state school classes.
More opportunities, extra circular activities and trips.
Somehow private schools seem to instill confidence and self esteem-no idea how!
Better environment - I actually think green space and beautiful grounds and buildings, spacious classrooms do make a difference to how you feel. (well it does for me anyway!)
Less likely to have disruptuve pupils in the class.

I was part of the hunger games growing up 😂. I did well got out. Didn’t need a massaged offer to university. I had the grades without, despite the school. I knew if I could ever afford it, my kids wouldn’t have to go to a shit school (not a reflection on the teachers, it’s def the school, the gvt and shit parenting - in some cases ). And they don’t.

Me and my husband are similar academically but he is cleverer, he went to a well known boarding school, I went to three state secondary schools and a post 16 college. It’s quite clear that both academics and behaviour were better at all of my schools. I was taught as in teachers made sure we understood concepts and could apply them, my husbands education was largely memorising, in year eleven every lesson was a mock paper from December onwards, if they weren’t performing well by February they wouldn’t be entered for the exam to avoid damage to the schools reputation.

On top of that physical violence, sexism, racism, homophobia and sexual abuse were a problem at his school. If a boy was awful it was ignored if their parents made regular ‘donations’ to the school.

It really depends on the child and the school. DS was very bright but also very sporty so we chose an academically selective private/independent day school with a strong sporting tradition. It was full of children from similar backgrounds ( professional rather than obscenely wealthy parents) so it was a very good fit for DS. He had the option of our local, very good, state school at senior level, but he was happy with his friendship group and also breezed through the entrance exams with no tuition.
He was an academic all rounder so never struggled with the homework demands or the accelerated learning pace. Inevitably Covid had an affect but he went on to uni without any problems. He is, however struggling with depression at the moment but this has nothing to do with his school experience, and if it wasn’t for the support of his strong friendships from school he would be coping much l as well.
He had a friend who was profoundly dyslexic who didn’t join them at senior level. He attended a local independent school specialising in SEN. He too has achieved his potential.
I think you have to visit the schools on open days. Then go back for private visits to get a feel for everyday life. Also talk to parents who have children in the system.
We were recommended DS’s school by his nursery teacher. She suggested an academically selective school.

It’s not about it being the hunger games, it’s about acknowledging that that those who attend private school have a privilege that 90% of the population don’t. They’ve had an easier environment for them to achieve their best, both at school and at home.

If you had a child from a private school with wealthy and supportive parents gain 9 A grade GCSE, then you have a a child from a poorly performing, deprived area comp, gain the same grades, it’s the resilience and against the odds that’s impressive in the latter example. Would the first chid have achieved the same grades had they been in the same situation as the second?

Thankfully universities use the same approach and offer contextual offers for students from deprived backgrounds, which acknowledging the privilege of private education. Social mobility is getting worse so I see this as a great way to try to help those from less affluent backgrounds